The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi has revealed that over N4 billion was approved for the fueling of Police vehicles in the country by the Federal Government for the supply of fuel to the 36 states Police Command and FCT.
He stated this during the presentation of a paper titled “Strategic Leadership Development: The Role of the Ministry of Police Affairs” with the course participants of the Strategic Leadership and Command Course 3/2021 at the National Institute of Police Studies in Abuja.
The Minister said under 2021 budget and for the first time in the history of Nigeria Police, over N4 billion has been approved for fuelling of Police vehicles in the country adding that the Ministry intends to sustain the gesture which will be carried out on a quarterly basis.
In his words, “The Ministry is deeply grateful to Mr. President and the National Assembly for approving funds for the supply of fuel to the 36 states Police Commands across the country and FCT to increase their efficiency. As we speak the Police Trust Fund has awarded contracts for the supply of more operational vehicles, Body Protection Vest & Helmet, Arms and Ammunitions, Drugs and Medical equipment, and other critical security hardware”.
Dingyadi opined that the Ministry of Police Affairs makes the training and development of Police Officers top priority and the Director in charge of Training and Development amongst other vital units was directed to ensure that the skills and competencies of officers of the Nigeria Police and civilian staff of the Ministry is developed for improved service delivery.
According to him, “The Ministry of Police Affairs in conjunction with the police leadership developed training and development needs of police officers. This is determined by the development of an appropriate curriculum in accordance with the strategic needs of each cadre of officers according to best practice.
He said, the Federal Executive Council recently approved the Automation of Police Specialized Services to promote Transparency and Accountability as well as serve as an additional source of funding to enhance police operations.
The Minister pointed out that, the Ministry of Police Affairs has been in the vanguard for the positive reforms in the Nigeria Police to enable the Force to keep up with the ever-changing society and advancement in technology.
He said, “Specifically, we focus on reforms that will translate to improve skills and competencies. However, it should be noted that some of these reforms take time to implement but we shall continue to push and collaborate with relevant partners like the British Council, Department for International Development, the United Kingdom, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) CLEEN Foundation, and other NGOs who have been working closely with us”.
Responding to the issues raised by participants from Nigeria in respect of promotion stagnations and welfare, the Minister reiterated Mr. President directives to the National Wages and Salaries Commission to produce new enhanced salary structure which would soon come out in due course.
He charged the participants from both Nigeria and Sierra Leon to come out with solutions that would solve the issues of promotion stagnation. In his words, the institution has a great role to play in this direction and one of the essences of establishing this institute are to undertake research, discuss issues related to police and proffer solutions as well as submitted a report to the management. Dindyadi stressed.